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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDDW-2024-013706 2020 CCR REPORT Is my water safe?We are pleased to present this year's Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This report is designed to provide details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. This report is a snapshot of last year's water quality. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies. As we informed you at the time, our water temporarily exceeded drinking water standards. (For more information see the section labeled Violations at the end of the report.) Do I need to take special precautions?Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791). Source water assessment and its availabilityMost of the water used by JWID comes from the treatment plant on the banks of Starvation reservoir. The treatment plant is constantly monitoring the water quality and providing up to 8 million gallons per day to the people of the Uintah Basin. Why are there contaminants in my drinking water?Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity: microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife; inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming; pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses; organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems; and radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. How can I get involved?Conserve water, and protect our water sheds. Water Conservation Tips Did you know that the average U.S. household uses approximately 400 gallons of water per day or 100 gallons per person per day? Luckily, there are many low-cost and no-cost ways to conserve water  Take short showers - a 5 minute shower uses 4 to 5 gallons of water compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath.  Shut off water while brushing your teeth, washing your hair and shaving and save up to 500 gallons a month.  Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.  Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.  Water plants only when necessary.  Fix leaky toilets and faucets. Faucet washers are inexpensive and take only a few minutes to replace. To check your toilet for a leak, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it or replacing it with a new, more efficient model can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.  Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered. Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it and during the cooler parts of the day to reduce evaporation.  Teach your kids about water conservation to ensure a future generation that uses water wisely. Make it a family effort to reduce next month's water bill! Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information.  Additional Information for LeadIf present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Johnson Water Improvement District is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.  Water Quality Data TableIn order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the calendar year of this report. Although many more contaminants were tested, only those substances listed below were found in your water. All sources of drinking water contain some naturally occurring contaminants. At low levels, these substances are generally not harmful in our drinking water. Removing all contaminants would be extremely expensive, and in most cases, would not provide increased protection of public health. A few naturally occurring minerals may actually improve the taste of drinking water and have nutritional value at low levels. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done in the calendar year of the report. The EPA or the State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not vary significantly from year to year, or the system is not considered vulnerable to this type of contamination. As such, some of our data, though representative, may be more than one year old. In this table you will find terms and abbreviations that might not be familiar to you. To help you better understand these terms, we have provided the definitions below the table.      Water is Life Treat it Right   JWID gets its water from three different sources: If you live in the Upalco and Ledge Lane areas your water currently comes from Upper Country Water Improvement District and the report is shown below. If you live in the Independence area your water comes from the Ute Tribe and the report is shown below. The majority of JWID customers receive water from the Duchesne Valley Treatment Plant of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. That report is the first one below. JohnsonWaterImprovementDistrictMCLGor MCL, TT,or Detect InYour Range Sample Contaminants MRDLG MRDL Water Low High Date Violation Typical Source Disinfectants&DisinfectionByproducts (Thereis convincingevidencethat additionofadisinfectantisnecessaryforcontrolofmicrobialcontaminants) Halo aceticAcids (HAAS)(ppb) NA 60 32.19 27.6 40.25 2020 No By-product ofdrinking waterchlorination TTHMs [TotalTrihalomethanes](ppb) NA 80 43.6 30.7 56.5 2020 NO By-productof drinking waterdisinfection Contaminants MCLG AL YourWater SampleDate #SampleExceedingAL Exceeds AL TypicalSource InorganicContaminants Copper - action level atconsumertaps(ppm) 1.3 1.3 .123 2019 0 No Corrosion of householdplumbingsystems;Erosionofnaturaldeposits Lead - action level atconsumertaps(ppb) 0 15 .0019 2019 0 No Corrosion of householdplumbing systems; Erosionof naturaldeposits UNITS 2020 AVERAGE 2020 RANGE MONITORINGCRITERIA LIKELY SOURCE(S) /COMENTS Unless noted otherwise, thedata presented in this table arefromtestingconductedin2020 MCL MCLG MICROBIOLOGICAL TotalColiform % positivepermonth 0 0 5% 0 Coliforms are naturally presentin the environment; as well asfeces; fecal coliforms and E.colionlycomefromhumanandanimalfecal waste. Escherichiacoli % positivepermonth 0 0 TT TT Fecal coliforms and E. coli onlycome from human and animalfecalwaste. Turbidity(surfacewater) NTU 0.03 0.02- 0.08 95% <0.3 NA Naturallyoccurringandsoilrunoff PESTICIDES/PCBs/SOCs All otherParameters µg/L ND ND Varies Varies Varioussources. 2019Data. DISINFECTANTS/DISINFECTIONBY-PRODUCTS Chlorine mg/L 1.3 0.9-1.6 4 4 Drinkingwaterdisinfectant TotalTHMs µg/L 15.6 6.4-31.0 80 NE By-productofdrinkingwaterdisinfection. HAA5s µg/L 15.0 4.7-32.0 60 NE By-productofdrinkingwaterdisinfection. Bromate mg/L ND ND 0.01 0 By-productofdrinkingwaterdisinfection. ORGANICMATERIAL TotalOrganicCarbon mg/L 3.02 2.69-3.6 TT NE Naturallyoccurring UV-254 1/cm 0.04 0.017- 0.037 UR NE Naturally occurring.This is ameasure of UV-absorbingorganiccompounds. UNITS 2020 AVERAGE 2020 RANGE MONITORINGCRITERIA LIKELY SOURCE(S) /COMENTS Unless noted otherwise, thedata presented in this tableare from testing conductedin 2020 MCL MCLG VolatileOrganicCompounds Chloroform µg/L 12.9 3.1-40.5 NE 70 By-productofdrinkingwaterdisinfection. Bromodi-chlormethane µg/L 4.4 1.8-9.2 NE 0 By-productofdrinkingwaterdisinfection. Dibromo-chloromethane µg/L 1.8 0.6-2.6 NE 60 By-productofdrinkingwaterdisinfection. PrimaryInorganics Arsenic μg/L 2.6 3 10.0 0 Erosion of natural deposits;runofffromorchards,runofffrom glass and electronicsproduction wastes. 2019data. Barium μg/L 0.081 0.081 2000 2000 Discharge from steel andpulp mills; erosion ofnaturaldeposits.2019data. Fluoride mg/L 0.3 0.3 4 4 Erosion of natural deposits;dis-charge from fertilizerandaluminumfactories 2019data. Selenium μg/L 0.8 0.8 50 50 Discharge from petroleumrefineries;erosionofnaturaldeposits; dis-charge frommines2019 data. Radionuclides Alpha,Gross pCi/L 1.2 1.2 15 0 Erosion of natural depositsof certain minerals that areradioactive and may emit aform of radiation known asalpharadiation.2019 data. Beta,Gross pCi/L 1.8 1.8 4 mrem/ yr 0 Decay of natural and man-made deposits of certainmineralsthatareradioactiveandmay emit forms of radiation known as photonsandbetaradiation.2019data Radium228 pCi/L 0.23 0.23 5 0 Erosion of natural deposits.2019data. UNITS 2020 AVERAGE 2020 RANGE MONITORINGCRITERIA LIKELY SOURCE(S) /COMENTS Unless noted otherwise, thedatapresentedinthistablearefrom testing conducted in2020 MCL MCLG SECONDARYINORGANICS Aestheticstandards Color CU 0.004 ND-0.4 SS=15 NE Decaying,naturallyoccurringorganic material andsuspendedparticles Iron mg/L 0.04 0.04 SS=0.3 NE Erosionofnaturaldeposits Odor TON 0.46 ND-1.4 SS=3 NE Varioussources pH 8.1 7.8-8.4 SS=6.5-8.5 NE Naturallyoccurring Sulfate mg/L 93 93 SS=250 NE Erosion of natural deposits.2019data. TotalDissolvedSolids mg/L 417 395-432 SS=500 NE Erosionof naturaldeposits UNREGULATEDPARAMETERS (Monitoringnot required) Alkalinity mg/L 206 190-220 UR NE Naturallyoccurring. Conductance µmhos/cm 607 573-741 UR NE Naturallyoccurring. CalciumHardness mg/L 214 132-280 UR NE Naturallyoccurring. grains/gallon 12.5 8.0-16.4 UR NE Naturallyoccurring. Johnson Water Improvement District users who live in the Upalco and Ledge Lane areas use water purchased from Upper Country Water Improvement District. Upper Country Water Improvement District TEST RESULTS Contaminant Violation Y/N Level Detected ND/Low-High Unit Measurement MCLG MCL Date Sampled Likely Source of Contamination Microbiological Contaminants Total Coliform Bacteria N 0 N/A 0 Presence of coliform bacteria in 5% of monthly samples 2020 Naturally present in the environment Turbidity for Ground Water N .20 NTU N/A 5 2018 Soil runoff Radioactive Contaminants Alpha emitters N .18 pCi/1 0 15 2011 Erosion of natural deposits Inorganic Contaminants Arsenic N 0.0050 ppb 0 10 2018 Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes Copper a.        90% results b.        # of sites that exceed the AL N a. .478 b. 0 ppb 1300 AL=1300 2018 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits Fluoride N 0.3 ppb 4000 4000 2018 Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories Lead a.        90% results b.        # of sites that exceed the AL N a. .0017 b. ppb 0 AL=15 2018 Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits Nitrate (as Nitrogen) N ND ppb 10000 10000 2020 Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Sodium N 1.2 ppm None set by EPA None set by EPA 2018 Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills. Sulfate N 59 ppm 1000* 1000* 2018 Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills, runoff from cropland TDS (Total Dissolved solids) N 168 ppm 2000** 2000** 2018 Erosion of natural deposits While your drinking water meets EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. Johnson Water Improvement District users who live in Independence use water purchased from the Ute Tribe the report for that area is shown below.MCLGor MCL, TT,or Detect InYour Range Sample Contaminants MRDLG MRDL Water Low High Date Violation Typical Source Disinfectants&Disinfectionbyproducts (Thereis convincingevidencethat additionofadisinfectantisnecessaryforcontrolofmicrobialcontaminants) Halo aceticAcids (HAAS)(ppb) NA 60 3.1 3.1 3.1 2020 No By-product ofdrinking waterchlorination TTHMs [TotalTrihalomethanes](ppb) NA 80 4.1 4.1 4.1 2020 NO By-productof drinking waterdisinfection Contaminants MCLG orMRDLG MCL, TT, orMRDL DetectInYourWater Range SampleDate Violation TypicalSource Low High Disinfectants&DisinfectionBy-Products (Thereisconvincingevidencethatadditionofadisinfectantisnecessaryforcontrolofmicrobialcontaminants) Chlorine (as Cl2)(ppm) 4 4 Yes 1 1 2020 No Water additive used to controlmicrobes Halo acetic Acids(HAA5)(ppb) NA 60 Yes 0 3.6 2020 No By-product of drinking waterchlorination TTHMs [TotalTrihalomethanes](ppb) NA 80 Yes 4.3 5 2020 No By-product of drinking waterdisinfection InorganicContaminants Contaminants MCLG orMRDLG MCL, TT, orMRDL DetectInYourWater Range SampleDate Violation TypicalSource Low High Barium(ppm) 2 2 Yes 0.24 0.24 2020 No Discharge of drilling wastes;Discharge from metalrefineries; Erosion of naturaldeposits Fluoride(ppm) 4 4 Yes 0.47 0.47 2020 No Erosion of natural deposits;Water additive which promotesstrong teeth; Discharge fromfertilizer and aluminumfactories Nitrate [measured asNitrogen](ppm) 10 10 Yes 0.3 0.3 2020 No Runoff from fertilizer use;Leaching from septic tanks,sewage; Erosion of naturaldeposits LeadandCopper MCGL 90th percentileleveldetected AL SampleDate Violation Lead(ppb) 0 1 15ppb 2020 Yes Internal corrosion of householdwater plumbing systems;discharges from industrialmanufacturers; erosion ofnaturaldeposits. Copper(ppm) 1.3 0.57 1.3ppm 2020 Yes Internal corrosion of householdplumbing systems; erosion ofnatural deposits; leaching fromwoodpreservatives. UnitDescriptions Term Definition ppm ppm:partspermillion,ormilligramsperliter(mg/L) ppb ppb:partsperbillion,ormicrogramsperliter(µg/L) MFL MFL:millionfibersperliter,usedtomeasureasbestosconcentration NA NA:not applicable ND ND:Notdetected NR NR:Monitoringnotrequiredbutrecommended. ImportantDrinkingWaterDefinitions Term Definition MCLG MCLG:MaximumContaminantLevelGoal:Thelevelofacontaminantindrinkingwaterbelowwhich thereisnoknownorexpectedrisk tohealth.MCLGsallowfora marginofsafety. MCL MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed indrinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatmenttechnology. ImportantDrinkingWaterDefinitions TT TT: Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant indrinkingwater. AL AL: Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment orotherrequirementswhichawatersystemmustfollow. Variances andExemptions Variances and Exemptions: State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment techniqueundercertain conditions. MRDLG MRDLG: Maximum residual disinfection level goal. The level of a drinking water disinfectantbelow which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits oftheuseofdisinfectantsto control microbial contaminants. MRDL MRDL: Maximum residual disinfectant level. The highest level of a disinfectant allowed indrinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary forcontrolofmicrobial contaminants. MNR MNR:MonitoredNotRegulated MPL MPL:StateAssignedMaximumPermissibleLevel Level 1Assessment A Level 1 assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine(ifpossible)whytotalcoliformbacteria have been foundin ourwatersystem. Level 2Assessment A Level 2 assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problemsand determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliformbacteriahavebeenfoundinourwatersystemonmultiple occasions. Violation Explanation Length HealthEffectsLanguage Explanation andComment Monitoring,Routine Major,Combined Radium226/228 Failure toSample 2015- 2020 Some people who drink water containingradium 226 or 228 in excess of the MCLover many years may have an increasedriskofgettingcancer. We failed to test ourdrinking water for thecontaminant and periodindicated.Becauseofthis failure, we cannot besure of the quality of ourdrinkingwaterduringtheperiod indicated. Monitoring,Routine Major,Gross alphaexcluding radon anduranium Failure toSample 2015- 2020 Certain minerals are radioactive and mayemit a form of radiation known as alpharadiation. Some people who drink watercontaining alpha emitters in excess of theMCL over many years may have anincreasedriskofgetting cancer. We failed to test ourdrinking water for thecontaminant and periodindicated. Because ofthis failure, we cannotbe sure of the quality ofour drinking waterduring the periodindicated. Monitoring,Routine Major,NitrateandNitrite(measured asNitrogen) Failure toSample 2020 Infants below the age of six months whodrink water containing nitrate and nitrite inexcess of the MCL could become seriouslyilland,ifuntreated,may die. Symptoms include shortness of breathandblue-babysyndrome. We failed to test ourdrinking water for thecontaminant and periodindicated. Because ofthis failure, we cannotbe sure of the quality ofourdrinkingwater Violation Explanation Length HealthEffectsLanguage Explanation andComment during the periodindicated. Monitoring,Routine Major,Uranium Failure toSample 2015- 2020 Some people who drink water containinguranium in excess of the MCL (30 ug/L)over many years may have increased riskofgetting cancerandkidneytoxicity. We failed to test ourdrinking water for thecontaminant and periodindicated. Because ofthis failure, we cannotbe sure of the quality ofour drinking waterduring the periodindicated. Failure to address adeficiency(GWR) Failed toRespond to aDeficiency 2014– 2020 The Ground Water Rule specifies theappropriate use of disinfection whileaddressing other components of groundwater systems to ensure public healthprotection. We failed to properlyrespond to a significantdeficiency in our watersystem. AdditionalInformationforLead If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnantwomen and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and componentsassociated with service lines and home plumbing. Uriah Heeps is responsible for providing highquality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for leadexposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking orcooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested.Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or athttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. WhatareSanitarySurveysandSignificantDeficiencies? Sanitary survey means an onsite review of the water source, facilities, equipment, operation andmaintenance of a public water system for the purpose of evaluating the adequacy of such source,facilities, equipment, operation and maintenance for producing and distributing safe drinkingwater." 084990002 UriahHeeps SecurefencingisneededaroundSpring - SPR01 collection area to minimizelivestockgrazingfromwithinatleast100feet of the collection laterals andmanholes. Significant Deficiencies include, but are not limited to, defects in the design, operation, ormaintenance, or a failure or malfunction of the sources, treatment, storage, or distribution systemthat EPA determines to be causing or have the potential for causing the introduction ofcontamination into the water delivered to consumers. If any significant deficiencies are identifiedat a water system, they must respond to the EPA and you will be required to address themaccording to a schedule or you will receive a violation. Significant Deficiencies identified duringourlast sanitary surveyarenotedbelow: SourceofpossiblecontaminationinimmediateareaofUriahHeepsSpringandCollectionSystem: Sources of possible contamination in immediate area of the spring which can impact waterquality was noted in the 2016 sanitary survey report. During that EPA required sanitary survey,livestock manure was observed in the vicinity of the White Rocks spring SPR01 area andmanholes;thiscanpotentiallyimpactthewaterquality.Also,followingthe2013sanitarysurvey,inspections of the Whiterocks and Uriah Heeps spring systems were conducted by Indian HealthService and Ute Tribe utility representatives in May of 2014. This was in response to thesignificant deficiency citing unknown integrity of the spring collection system. The Report fromthese inspections was sent to EPA via email from Indian Health Service as stated in thisdocument: “There was evidence of livestock within the springs area. Recommend more securefencingandgatetoensure livestockremainsaminimumof 100’fromthe collection laterals”. Secure fencing is needed around the Uriah Heeps spring SPR01 collection area to minimizelivestockgrazing fromwithin atleast100 feet of the collection lateralsand manholes. The UTE Tribal Water System is working with the Indian Health Service to have fencinginstalledaround thespringbyApril1,2021. A special sample, known as an MPA, was conducted in May of 2019 to determine if thegroundwater is under the influence of surface water.The system was determined not to be underthe influence of surface water. Waylon Murdock or Tyrone McKewanPOBox 186 FortDuchesne,UT84026Phone:435-722-5176 BACKFLOW PREVENTION Every human being relies on water for life. It is an extremely precious resource that most of us take for granted. Everything from wastewater to blood to chemicals has the potential to end up in our potable water supply. Whether we allow this is up to us. What is cross connection?    A cross connection is defined as an actual or potential connection between a public water supply and a source of possible contamination of pollution.  All homes have potential cross connections. The water pipes and plumbing fixtures that make us cross connection can be the link for contamination to get back into the drinking water supply. They can be a serious health hazard. The reversing of the flow direction in the pipes is called backflow.  The result of cross connection contamination is that chemicals, poisons and bacteria might find their way into the water you drink.   Is backflow hard to prevent?   Not at all! Backflow can be easily and inexpensively prevented First, you can add a hose-bibb vacuum breaker to all your spigots. These devise are easy to install attach to spigots and prevent water from flowing backward should a pressure loss occur.   Point to remember:  Backflow is when a reversal of pressure causes water to flow in the wrong direction.  Backflow can cause disease, chemicals and other possible dangerous substances to enter your home through your faucet.  Backflow is easily and cheaply prevented with devices such as a hose-bibb vacuum.   Water is Precious ~ Water is Life    Protect your water heater from Thermal Expansion  Without a functioning Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve, your water heater can explode. Protection from thermal expansion is provided in a plumbing system by the installation of a thermal expansion tank in the hot water system piping downstream of the hot water tank and a temperature and pressure relief valve (T & P Valve) at the top of the tank.The thermal expansion tank controls the increased pressure generated within the normal operating temperature range of the water heater. The small tank with a sealed compressible air cushion provides a space to store and hold the additional expanded water volume.   What you should do to ensure protection from Thermal Expansion:   1. You should check to see that an expansion tank and T & P Valve are in place. If there is any doubt, you should contact a licensed plumber. 2. The T & P Valve should be periodically inspected to ensure that it is properly operating. Some T & P Valves are equipped with a test level. Manually lifting the lever unseats the valve, allowing water to discharge. If water continues to leak from the T & P Valve after closing, the valve may need to be replaced. A drain line must be installed to avoid water damage and scalding injury when the valve operates. 3. The T & P Valve should be periodically removed and visually inspected for corrosion deposits and to insure it has not been improperly altered or repaired. 4. The above work can best be done by licensed plumber.